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Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

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Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus - Bacterial Blight Busters

FeatureDiphtheriaPertussisTetanus
AgentC. diphtheriae (G+ bacillus)B. pertussis (G- coccobac.)C. tetani (G+ rod, anaerobic)
HallmarkPseudomembrane, bull neckParoxysmal cough, "whoop"Trismus, muscle spasms
Toxin Mech.Inactivates EF-2ADP-ribosylates Gi $\rightarrow$ $↑\text{cAMP}$Blocks GABA/glycine release
VaccineToxoid (D)Acellular (aP) / Whole (wP)Toxoid (T)
  • Diphtheria: Schick test for susceptibility.
  • Pertussis: Lymphocytosis common; culture on Bordet-Gengou/Regan-Lowe media.
  • Tetanus: Wound management crucial. Neonatal tetanus: unhygienic cord practices.

Tetanus: Spatula test positive (gag reflex absent, masseter spasm instead).

Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio - Viral Vanguard Vanquishers

FeatureMeasles (Rubeola)MumpsRubella (German Measles)
AgentParamyxovirusParamyxovirusTogavirus
RashMac-pap, ceph-caud, coalescent-Mac-pap, ceph-caud, discrete
Key SignKoplik spots (buccal); 📌 3C's (Cough, Coryza, Conjunctivitis)Parotitis (bilateral)Forchheimer spots (palate); Post. auricular/suboccipital LAD
ComplicationPneumonia (commonest death), OM, Encephalitis, SSPEOrchitis (post-pubertal), Aseptic meningitis, Pancreatitis, OophoritisCongenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS: deafness, cataracts, PDA)
VaccineLive atten. (MMR)Live atten. (MMR)Live atten. (MMR)

⭐ Measles: Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, fatal, late neurological complication. Koplik spots on buccal mucosa

  • Polio: Picornavirus (Enterovirus); fecal-oral. Mostly asymptomatic; can cause asymmetric flaccid paralysis (LMN). Vaccines: IPV (Salk-killed), OPV (Sabin-live attenuated - VAPP risk).

HepB, Hib, Rota, PCV - Modern Shield Squad

India UIP Immunization Schedule Infants, Children, Pregnant

VaccineDisease PreventedUIP Schedule (Primary)Booster DoseRouteNotes / High-Yield
HepBHepatitis B, Cirrhosis, HCCBirth (within 24h), 6, 10, 14 wks (Pentavalent)Not routine in UIPIM📌 HepB at Birth! Monovalent at birth.
HibH. influenzae type b: Meningitis, Epiglottitis6, 10, 14 wks (Pentavalent)16-18 monthsIM📌 Hi bye to meningitis! Part of Pentavalent.
RotavirusSevere Infantile Diarrhea (Rotavirus GE)6, 10, 14 wks (e.g., Rotavac, Rotasiil)NoneOral> ⭐ Slight risk of intussusception (esp. 1st dose, within 7 days).
PCVPneumococcal disease (Pneumonia, Meningitis)6, 10, 14 wks (PCV13)9-12 monthsIMProtects against S. pneumoniae; reduces otitis media.

BCG, Varicella, JE, Typhoid - Contextual Champions

  • BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin)
    • Live attenuated (Danish 1331). Dose: 0.05mL (<1mo), 0.1mL (≥1mo) ID, left upper arm.
    • Scar: Papule (2-3w) → Ulcer (6-8w) → Scar (8-12w).
    • ⭐ BCG protects against severe childhood TB (meningitis, miliary), not primary infection or adult pulmonary TB.

    • Contra: Immunodeficiency. Complication: BCG-osis/lymphadenitis.
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)
    • Live attenuated (Oka strain). 0.5mL SC.
    • Schedule: 15mo, 4-6yr. Post-exposure: Vaccine (3-5d); VZIG for high-risk.
  • JE (Japanese Encephalitis)
    • Live (SA 14-14-2) or Killed. NIP (endemic areas): 9-12mo, 16-24mo.
    • High fatality (20-30%); neuro sequelae. Vector: Culex mosquitoes.
  • Typhoid
    • Vi Polysaccharide (ViPS): ≥2yr, 0.5mL IM. Booster q3yr.
    • Oral Ty21a: ≥6yr, 3-4 doses. Booster q3-5yr. For travelers, endemic areas.
    • Efficacy 50-80%. Varicella skin lesions

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Live vaccines (MMR, OPV) contraindicated in immunocompromised & pregnancy.
  • Killed vaccines (IPV) safer in immunocompromised; may have ↓ immunogenicity.
  • India's Pentavalent vaccine includes DPT, Hep B, and Hib.
  • Measles vaccine at 9 months with Vitamin A; second dose at 15-18 months.
  • BCG vaccine (intradermal) protects against severe TB (meningitis, miliary); leaves a scar.
  • Rotavirus vaccine (oral) prevents severe childhood diarrhea.
  • PCV prevents invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease.

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